Based on lectures delivered at Oxford in 1989, Jaki here critiques evolutionary theory as tacitly assuming purposeful direction while overtly positing a chance origin of life. He then argues for a new understanding of the argument from design, questioning on the one hand the anthropic principle and on the other process philosophies. The conclusion boldly restates the Christian understanding of life and purpose in the face of the futility and inner contradictions of faith in ''progress'' issuing from purposeless origins. 261 pp. 2005 Real View Books edition. Cover image varies from that shown.